HAIR TRANSPLANTS
Our Doctors and Aesthetic Technicians Géniale are highly trained and experienced in the latest hair loss treatments.
Hair loss or alopecia is a very common but emotionally distressing condition. Up to 70% of men and 50% of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.
While there are many causes of hair loss, the most common cause in both men and women is androgenic alopecia. This condition is due to high levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes the miniaturisation and eventual death of hair follicles. This condition can affect young men and women and will typically lead to progressive hair loss as a person ages. Getting diagnosed and treated as early as possible is critical to slowing down the progression of the disease.
Treatments for hair loss
The most appropriate treatment for hair loss will depend on the exact diagnosis in an individual. In the case of androgenic alopecia, the typical cause of hair loss, treatments may include medications such as finasteride and minoxidil and low-level laser therapy.
However, the only permanent solution for androgenic alopecia is hair transplantation. While hair transplantation can also treat other causes of hair loss, some causes of hair loss should not be treated with hair transplantation as transplanted hairs will be less likely to survive. This is why it is important to schedule a consultation with a skilled hair transplantist to determine your suitability for hair transplantation.
Hair loss transplantation
The 2 most common hair transplantation techniques are FUE (follicular unit excision) and FUT (follicular unit transplantation) surgery. FUE is the newer technique which is steadily increasing in popularity. FUE and FUT techniques are separated in the way transplanted hairs are harvested. In FUE surgery hair follicles are harvested by taking small punches usually less than 1mm in diameter. Because hair follicles are harvested one at a time, this technique is more time consuming and therefore more expensive.
In FUT surgery, hair follicles are harvested from a linear strip of hair which is usually cut from the back of the scalp. However, this can leave an unsightly linear scar and prevents patients from wearing their hair short. In contrast, FUE surgery leaves circular scars that resemble tiny specks and may be unnoticeable to the untrained eye when performed correctly. Patients can wear their hear shorter with this procedure. Properly performed FUE can leave patients with hair that looks completely natural.
Is transplanted hair permanent?
Hairs taken from the safe donor zone of the occipital scalp i.e. an area on the back of the scalp are less sensitive to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This will ensure that transplanted hairs to the frontal hairline or crown will be more likely to survive than the adjacent hairs. However, this means that a skilled hair transplantist should plan ahead for the progressive nature of androgenic alopecia to ensure that the hairline always looks as natural as possible.
Things to watch out for
The skill of a hair transplantist is critical to ensuring a great aesthetic outcome. Poorly skilled hair transplantists will have higher rates of follicular unit transection i.e. in the harvesting process more punches will be taken at the wrong angle, cutting through the hair follicle and resulting in poor follicular survival rates. Furthermore, in the implantation process, much care is needed to ensure that hair follicles are not damaged and are more likely to survive.
Perhaps the most important skill of a hair transplantist is the ability to design a natural hairline. Some hair transplantists will design hairlines that look unnatural even to an untrained eye. Design of a natural hairline gives consideration to many factors, including but not limited to: the exit angle and pattern of existing hairs, the best hairline for a person’s age, the density of implanted hairs, the number of hairs per follicular unit and the progressive nature of hair loss. These details will be lost on an unskilled hair transplant surgeon.
*Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Every treatment at Géniale is personal and individualised. We invite you to make an appointment to meet our team to discuss your treatment, to determine the perfect solution for you.
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PHONE: (02) 9181 3999
EMAIL: info@geniale.com.au
